When preparing for your fencing project, it’s important to know whether the option you’ve chosen will deliver the results you expect.
If you’ve done research on horse fencing, you’re probably aware of the following options:
Rail Fences:
- Horserail Flexible Rail
- Steel
- PVC
- Wood
Wire Fences:
- Hotcote Coated Wire
- Steel Mesh
- Electric Rope
- Electric Tape
Below we will look at whether these options have each of the features you need to have in your horse fence and then determine which one comes out on top.
1. Flexibility
Flexibility is one of the most overlooked qualities of a horse fence, but it plays a critical role in safety.
When a horse runs into a fence, the more impact the fence can absorb, the more it helps slow the animal down and reduce the chance of injury.
This feature is found primarily in fencing systems that use tensioned steel wires. Steel wire combines strength and flexibility, making it well-suited for large animals like horses and other livestock.
Horserail and Hotcote, for example, are made from 12.5-gauge high-tensile wires coated in medium-density polyethylene. Medium density provides the ideal balance of strength and flexibility, while the high-tensile wires reinforce underneath.
It’s important to note that sufficient bracing is needed to be suitable to withstand the pressure of the flex. Strong corner posts secured in the ground allow the fence to absorb impact and snap back into place.
Other rail options, such as steel, PVC, and wood, are too rigid to flex. They typically snap under high forces or bend under lower ones.
Electric rope and tape lack the internal strength of steel wire. Instead, they rely on electrification as a psychological deterrent to keep horses away, rather than serving as a truly flexible and reliable barrier.
Fences with this feature:
- Horserail Flexible Rail
- Hotcote Coated Wire
- Steel Mesh
Fences without:
- Steel Rail
- PVC Rail
- Wood Rail
- Electric Rope
- Electric Tape
2. Keeps its Shape and Appearance
When installing a horse fence, you want it to look and perform the same years later as it did on the day it was built. A fence that loses its shape or appearance over time not only looks poor but also becomes less effective.
Many factors can impact the shape and appearance of your fence: livestock collisions, constant animal pressure, scratching or rubbing, fallen trees or branches, rust, rot, weathering, and sun damage.
To ensure your fence will last, you need to pick something made of quality, the right design, and the right materials.
The most reliable options are made from high-quality steel or polyethylene with proper rust and UV protection. These materials typically last the longest and cause the fewest problems once installed.
For steel wire fences there are two kinds of wire—high-tensile and low carbon. High-tensile is what Horserail and Hotcote are made out of.
For steel wire fences, there are two main types: high-tensile and low-carbon. Horserail and Hotcote use high-tensile wire. Its higher carbon content makes it stronger and better at holding its shape. By contrast, low-carbon wire—commonly found in steel mesh—stretches more easily. While mesh can absorb impact, it doesn’t return to its original form, leaving the fence looking uneven and poorly tensioned over time.
The plastic coating used in Horserail and Hotcote is medium-density polyethylene with UV protection. Medium density is ideal because it provides flexibility without sacrificing strength, perfect for horse fencing applications.
PVC plastic, on the other hand, is generally lower in cost and quality compared to polyethylene, and it does not hold up as well over time.
Fences with this feature:
- Horserail Flexible Rail
- Steel Rail
- PVC Rail (sometimes)
- Hotcote Coated Wire
Fences without:
- Wood Rail
- Steel Mesh
- Electric Rope
- Electric Tape
3. Reduced sharp edges or trapping spaces
To be truly horse-friendly, a fence must be designed to minimize sharp edges and areas where a horse could become trapped.
Smooth edges mean fewer chances for cuts and injuries, which can occur when horses collide with a fence while playing, bullying, or spooking.
Horses that kick into a fence are especially vulnerable to deep lacerations if the surface is sharp. This is one reason coated wire has become popular, it solves the safety issues of bare wire.
Minimizing sharp edges also discourages the fence from being used as a way for horses or other livestock to scratch themselves and wear down your fence sooner than expected.
Proper spacing between rails or wires fences is equally important to reduce the chance of limbs getting caught in the fence. Horses get curious and will try to reach their head between or under rails and get accidentally stuck.
Horserail and Hotcote are designed so that horses can more easily pull themselves free if contact occurs, lowering the risk of entanglement. Steel mesh can also be safe if the openings are small enough to prevent hooves from passing through.
Riskier options include wood rail fences, which have a high risk of causing splinters, and electric rope and tape, which are often tensioned more loosely and pose a higher entanglement risk.
Fences with this feature:
- Horserail Flexible Rail
- Steel Rail
- PVC Rail
- Hotcote Coated Wire
- Steel Mesh
Fences without:
- Wood Rail
- Electric Rope
- Electric Tape
4. Good Visibility to Horses
Fence that is visibility is critical to horse safety, preventing them from running into, and injuring themselves on a barrier they can’t see, especially when startled.
Horses have a much broader view than us (they can see about 350 degrees around themselves) but is less detail. They also have to be around 50% closer to something in order to see it in the same level of detail as us.
Because of this limited vision, combined with poor focusing ability and a strong flight instinct, low-visibility fences create a higher risk of injury.
To maximize visibility, use rail fencing or a combination of rail and wire. Choosing colors that contrast with the surroundings can also improve how easily horses see the fence.
A common way to increase the visibility of wire fencing is to add a top rail. Horserail options such as HotTop and HotTop Plus include an electrifiable strip along the top rail, which not only improves visibility but also helps deter chewing or cribbing.
Fences with this feature:
- Horserail Flexible Rail
- Steel Rail
- PVC Rail
- Wood Rail
- Hotcote Coated Wire
- Electric Rope
- Electric Tape
Fences without:
- Steel Mesh
5. High Breaking Strength
A strong fence is essential for keeping horses contained and preventing them from escaping into unwanted areas. It also needs to hold up throughout its lifetime.
To be considered strong, a fence must withstand collisions, kicks, constant pressure, and everyday wear from animals. It should handle this abuse consistently without losing effectiveness or failing.
Steel and polyethylene are the strongest materials commonly used in horse fencing. Horserail and Hotcote are made from high-tensile wire, with a minimum breaking strength of 1,320 pounds per strand (4,200 pounds for Horserail).
Steel rail is also strong, but it is unforgiving in collisions because it lacks the flexibility of options like Horserail and Hotcote. High-quality PVC can offer strength as well, but when it breaks it can create sharp shards that pose a danger to horses.
Other fencing types do not perform as well in terms of strength. Wood rail can snap and splinter, steel mesh can stretch out of shape, and electric rope or tape provide little resistance to a determined horse.
Fences with this feature:
- Horserail Flexible Rail
- Steel Rail
- PVC Rail (sometimes)
- Hotcote Coated Wire
Fences without:
- Wood Rail
- Steel Mesh
- Electric Rope
- Electric Tape
6. Low Maintenance
No one wants to spend their time dealing with fencing problems after installation.
Instead of tracking down solutions to your fencing issues, you want a fence that lets you focus on your horses. Choosing the right materials and design up front will save you time and effort later.
In the end it comes down to picking a fencing option that comes with less maintenance because of thoughtful design and material consideration.
Among rail options, Horserail, steel, and PVC require considerably less maintenance than wood. Unlike wood, they do not need painting or staining. However, steel, PVC, and wood rails may still require rail or board replacements if they are broken or damaged.
Horserail stands out as an even lower-maintenance option. Because it is flexible, it does not splinter or snap. Horserail has even withstood car crashes and fallen trees, flexing back into place afterward.
The only routine maintenance with Horserail and Hotcote is occasional washing and checking fence tension to ensure appearance and performance remain at their best.
Wire options tend to require more upkeep. Steel mesh stretches over time, making it difficult to repair without bringing in a professional. Electric rope and tape have shorter lifespans, need frequent monitoring, and pose greater entanglement risks if not tensioned correctly.
Fences with this feature:
- Horserail Flexible Rail
- Steel Rail
- PVC Rail
- Hotcote Coated Wire
Fences without:
- Wood Rail
- Steel Mesh
- Electric Rope
- Electric Tape
7. Lasts around 20 to 30 years
If you are investing in a horse fence, you want an option that delivers lasting value for the time and money you put into it.
A good target for horse fencing longevity is 20 to 30 years.
High-quality steel and polyethylene materials can typically last this long before they begin to lose appearance or functionality.
Wood, even when treated, usually does not hold up as long, with a lifespan of up to 15 years. Electric rope and tape last even less, typically anywhere from 1 to 10 years depending on the quality.
Fences with shorter lifespans end up costing more per year. Choosing a fence that lasts 20 years instead of 10 can effectively cut your long-term material cost in half.
Fences with this feature:
- Horserail Flexible Rail
- Steel Rail
- Hotcote Coated Wire
Fences without:
- PVC Rail
- Wood Rail
- Steel Mesh
- Electric Rope
- Electric Tape
8. Can be Electrified
Electrification is often the cheaper and safer way to fence a horse property.
The reason is that adding electrification to a fence usually costs only a small fraction of the rest of the fencing materials but significantly increases the value you get from the fence.
Electric fences provide a harmless psychological deterrent that keeps horses from touching the fence. This discourages habits such as cribbing, leaning, scratching, and reaching through, which helps protect both the horses and the fence itself.
Horserail options such as HotTop and HotTop Plus can be electrified through a highly conductive carbon strip embedded in the rail. These strips carry the charge from the high-tensile wire beneath to the surface. This design is considered superior because it eliminates the need for an offset electric wire, giving the fence a cleaner appearance.
Hotcote uses a similar method, with three conductive carbon strips spaced evenly along the coated wire. These strips transfer the charge from the high-tensile wire to the surface to deliver a shock.
Electric rope and tape also provide electrification, but they lack other important features such as strength, appearance, and long-term durability.
All other fence types can only be electrified by running a hot wire offset from the fence. While this still allows the fence to be electrified, it does not provide the same coverage or sleek appearance as HotTop and HotTop Plus.
Fences with this feature:
- Horserail Flexible Rail
- Hotcote Coated Wire
- Electric Rope
- Electric Tape
Fences without:
- Steel Rail
- PVC Rail
- Wood Rail
- Steel Mesh
Best Horse Fence: Features Out of 8
Below are the horse fence options ranked based on feature coverage:
Horserail: 8/8
Hotcote: 8/8
Steel Rail: 6/8
PVC Rail: 5/8
Steel Mesh: 3/8
Electric Rope: 3/8
Electric Tape: 3/8
Wood Rail: 1/8
If you are interested in starting a fencing project with a Horserail product, click the red button below to get the process started!